The only way ye
can drive the peg in so the lawyers won't get hold on't, is by
sellin' out to old Graspum-Norman, I mean--he does up such business
as fine as a fiddle. Make the best strike with him ye can--he's as
tough as a knot on nigger trade!--and, if there's any making
property out on 'em, he's just the tinker to do it."
They shake their heads doubtingly, as if questioning the policy of
the advice. Mr. Scranton, however, to whom all looked with great
solicitation, speaks up, and affirms the advice to be the wiser
course, as a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
"Oh, yes!" says Romescos, significantly, "you'll be safe then, and
free from responsibility; Graspum's a great fellow to buy risks;
but, seeing how he's not popular with juries, he may want to play
behind the scenes, continue to prosecute the case in the name of the
creditors,--that's all! Curious work, this making property out of
doubtful women. Sell out to them what understands the curious of the
things, clear yerselfs of the perplexin' risks--ye won't bag a bit of
the game, you won't. Saddle it on Norman; he knows the philosophy of
nigger trade, and can swim through a sea of legal perplexities in
nigger cases." Mr. Romescos never gave more serious advice in his
life; he finishes his whiskey, adjusts his hat slouchingly on his
head, bids them good night; and, in return for their thanks, assures
them that they are welcome. He withdraws; Mr. Scranton, after a
time, gets very muddled; so much so, that, when daylight appears, he
finds, to his utter astonishment, he has enjoyed a sweet sleep on
the floor, some of his quizzical friends having disfigured his face
very much after the fashion of a clown's.
Pages:
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300